Cabinet Approves Rs 3,712 Crore Patna-Sasaram 4-Lane Highway Project

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the construction of the 4-lane access-controlled Patna-Arrah-Sasaram highway project.

The government will develop the project, stretching 120 km from Patna to Sasaram in Bihar, at a total capital cost of Rs 3,712.40 crore.

The new corridor aims to improve connectivity between Patna, Arrah, and Sasaram, areas currently connected by existing state highways that suffer from heavy traffic congestion.

The government designed the project as part of its infrastructure development initiative to reduce travel time and ease traffic in densely populated towns such as Arrah, Piro, Bikramganj, Mokar, and Sasaram.

Hybrid Annuity Model To Fund Project

The Patna-Arrah-Sasaram highway project will be developed under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

In this model, the government will fund 40% of the project cost through annuity payments to the private developer over the concession period. The private developer will finance the remaining 60% through debt or equity.

The government aims to revive private sector participation in road infrastructure projects through HAM, ensuring a balance between public funding and private sector efficiency.

Reducing Congestion And Enhancing Connectivity

Currently, travel between Sasaram, Arrah, and Patna takes between 3 to 4 hours due to traffic congestion, particularly in the town of Arrah.

The new greenfield corridor, along with the upgrading of 10.6 km of existing brownfield highway, is designed to alleviate this issue.

The project will integrate with key transport corridors, such as NH-19, NH-319, NH-922, NH-131G, and NH-120.

This will improve connectivity with Aurangabad, Kaimur, and Patna, providing smoother travel routes for both goods and passengers.

Enhanced Access To Airports And Railways

The project will also provide enhanced connectivity to critical transport hubs in the region.

It will link two major airports – Patna’s Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport and the upcoming Bihta Airport.

Additionally, it will connect four major railway stations: Sasaram, Arrah, Danapur, and Patna.

The inclusion of an Inland Water Terminal in Patna will further boost transportation options for goods.

The corridor’s integration with the Patna Ring Road will significantly expedite the movement of goods and passengers, further contributing to regional economic growth.

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